2011

Bowl

Saeda Makoto

Japanese, born 1973

Saeda Makoto puts a whimsical twist on a traditional type of porcelain known as "blue and white" by featuring his favorite birds, kingfishers, perched on the inside of this bowl. On the outside, matte polka dots contrast with the vessel’s shiny surface.

The technique for creating blue-and-white wares originated in China, where potters used cobalt pigment imported from the Middle East. In a process called "underglaze blue decoration," they applied their designs before adding a glaze and firing the piece in a kiln.